Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj not a top, top player yet says Michael Laudrup (who should know)

Don't believe the hype: Januzaj mustn't listen to people saying how good he is claims Laudrup (Image: Stu Forster)

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Amid the latest avalanche of praise for Adnan Januzaj came some words of warning for the Manchester United teenager.

Few people are better ­qualified to offer advice on the path to football stardom than Swansea boss Michael Laudrup, whose playing career took in Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus.

Januzaj tormented Swansea with his quick feet and direct running in Saturday's 2-0 win at Old Trafford , gliding past opponents to further endorse his status as a player destined for greatness.

But Laudrup warned the 18-year-old of the pitfalls that lie ahead and said only complete dedication to his craft will ensure he fulfils his potential.

“He’s a good player, has a lot of talent at a young age and is already at this level at this club,” said Laudrup. “It’s very difficult to get through, first of all, to this level and then at a club like Manchester United.

“I don’t know him personally, so I can’t say what he’s like as a person. I’m only looking from the outside.

“But I hope he’s the kind of player who knows he will have to develop and move on, not think that because you’ve played 10 games in the Premier League you’re already at the top.

“At 18, 19 or 20, you’re still a boy. It’s very important you’re at the right club with the right people around you – family, friends, who advises you – ­everything like that is important when you’re young.

“Otherwise you sometime see players who have 10 or 15 games at top level, everyone tells them they’re so great, they believe it and think they’re already in the top three in the world.

“If everyone tells you you’re the best maybe sometimes, especially when you’re so young, you believe it.

“I think it’s too early to say [how good Januzaj can be]. It depends on what level you mean. There are very good players, great players, top, top players and world-class players. Ask me again in three years.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is the prototype of a top, top ­professional. Apart from all his qualities, he plays all the games and wants to win every time.”

David Moyes, having avoided a fourth defeat in a row as the champions' new manager, heaped praise on Januzaj and predicted he could be as good as United team-mate Wayne Rooney - whom he managed at Everton at the same age.

“Adnan is in Wayne’s category,” said Moyes. “He’s in that ­territory, definitely, because of his ability. But he’s slightly different. He’s a really calm boy, he looks after himself in a great way.

“His father has really helped him a lot and because of that he’s steeped in football. He works and he lives for it. He practises every day and has that little bit of arrogance all top players have in their own way. They want to do something special. They want to take a player on. They want to try something.

“I’d known a bit about him, he had been mentioned to me, but I didn’t know enough about him. But the minute we got him away with us in pre-season we knew right away there was something there. He can play off the left, he can play off the right. He’s a No.10 and he’s played centre-forward. He’s that talented a player.

“We want to try and get him on the ball. But we don’t want to play him too much because of his age.”

After an inhibited first-half display, in which Januzaj hit the bar with a free-kick, United raised their game in the second half, goals from Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck securing victory.

Next for United is Sunday’s trip to Chelsea, and Moyes is confident - despite Rooney only having a “chance” of playing and Robin van Persie definitely out.

Asked if he feared going to Stamford Bridge, the Scot replied: “What, with the players I have at this club? I’ve no fears ­­whatsoever. I believe in all of my players.”